Travel mug lid

Abstract

A travel mug lid includes a first lid member and a closing mechanism. The first lid member includes a button opening. The closing mechanism includes a button, a core and a flexible material connected with the core. The button moves with respect to the core. The button includes a terminal portion that extends through or into the button opening. The button moves at least a portion of the flexible material with respect to the first lid member to selectively prevent flow of liquid through the drinking passage. The button and the core are isolated from liquid in the cup at least partially by the flexible material.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A travel mug lid configured to engage an associated cup at an upper opening of the associated cup, the lid comprising:
 a first lid member defining a central axis and including a button opening; and 
 a closing mechanism attached with the first lid member for selectively preventing flow of liquid through a drinking passage provided through the lid and at least partially defined by the first lid member, the closing mechanism including a button, a core that is separate from the first lid member and a flexible material connected with the core, 
 wherein the button moves with respect to the core, 
 wherein the button includes a terminal portion that extends through or into the button opening such that the terminal portion is accessible from an exterior of the first lid member when the lid is engaged with the associated cup, 
 wherein the core is made from a material that is more rigid than the flexible material, 
 wherein the button cooperates with the flexible material to move at least a portion of the flexible material with respect to the first lid member to selectively prevent flow of liquid through the drinking passage, and 
 wherein the button and the core are isolated from liquid in the associated cup at least partially by the flexible material when the closing mechanism is connected with the first lid member and the lid is engaged with the associated cup. 
 
     
     
       2. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the core precludes movement of the button in a direction parallel to the central axis and the button slides with respect to the core in a direction perpendicular to the central axis. 
     
     
       3. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the core includes an upper plate connected with a lower plate, wherein a void is defined between the upper plate and the lower plate, and the button is received in the void. 
     
     
       4. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the core includes a planar lower surface, wherein the flexible material covers an entirety of the planar lower surface of the core. 
     
     
       5. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the core includes a substantially cylindrical peripheral side wall that follows a radius about the central axis but for where the button extends from the core toward the button opening, wherein the flexible material covers a lower surface of the core around the substantially cylindrical peripheral side wall. 
     
     
       6. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material includes a movable section and a stationary section. 
     
     
       7. The lid of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible material is positioned so as to operate as a seal between the associated cup and the lid when the lid is engaged with the associated cup, and the flexible material operates as a valve closure for the drinking passage. 
     
     
       8. The lid of  claim 6 , wherein the movable section is defined by at least one corrugation formed in the flexible material. 
     
     
       9. The lid of  claim 6 , wherein the flexible material includes a movable sealing edge and a stationary sealing edge, wherein actuation of the button results in movement of the movable sealing edge with respect to the stationary sealing edge. 
     
     
       10. The lid of  claim 9 , wherein the stationary sealing edge is diametrically opposed from the button opening. 
     
     
       11. The lid of  claim 9 , wherein the flexible material surrounds at least a majority of the exterior of the core, and also envelops an outer end section of the button, which extends outwardly from the core. 
     
     
       12. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material surrounds the terminal portion of the button. 
     
     
       13. The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the closing mechanism includes a follower operatively connected with the button, the follower is biased for movement with respect to the button and is in contact with the flexible material, wherein the flexible material includes a movable sealing edge and a stationary sealing edge, wherein actuation of the button results in movement of the follower, which results in movement of the movable sealing edge with respect to the stationary sealing edge. 
     
     
       14. A travel mug lid configured to engage an associated cup at an upper opening of the associated cup, the lid comprising:
 a first lid member defining a central axis and including a button opening; and 
 a closing mechanism attached with the first lid member for selectively preventing flow of liquid through a drinking passage provided through the lid and at least partially defined by the first lid member, the closing mechanism including a button configured to be pressed by an operator, a core and a flexible material connected with the core, 
 wherein the button moves with respect to the core, 
 wherein the button includes a terminal portion that extends through or into the button opening such that the terminal portion is accessible from an exterior of the first lid member when the lid is engaged with the associated cup, 
 wherein the core is made from a material that is more rigid than the flexible material, 
 wherein the button cooperates with the flexible material to move at least a portion of the flexible material with respect to the first lid member to selectively prevent flow of liquid through the drinking passage,
 wherein the flexible material includes a movable section and a stationary section, and 
 wherein the flexible material includes a movable sealing edge, wherein actuation of the button results in movement of the movable sealing edge with respect to a stationary sealing surface, and the movable sealing edge contacts the stationary sealing surface to close the drinking passage, and wherein the flexible material surrounds the terminal portion of the button.